By 2030, we will implement our due diligence regarding the protection of biodiversity.
Carry out a due diligence check along the value chain: To what extent does your business model significantly impact biodiversity? This could be at your sites, in the upstream supply chain or in downstream products and services. Typical impacts include habitat destruction by companies that convert land for agriculture, mining or infrastructure projects. Chemicals and pesticides can have adverse effects on farms and companies in the chemical sector, while companies that use water resources for production or cooling can contribute to water scarcity and pollution. Companies that cause high greenhouse gas emissions contribute to climate change, which in turn alters habitats, influences species migration and destabilises ecosystems.
Take measures to address the greatest impact.
These include:
Sustainable supply chains and procurement: Companies can ensure their supply chains are sustainable and have no harmful effects on biodiversity. This can be achieved by purchasing products from sustainable forestry, avoiding trade in endangered species and supporting suppliers with environmentally friendly practices.
Nature conservation and habitat preservation: Actively work to protect natural habitats and biodiversity by establishing protected areas, preserving natural habitats such as forests or wetlands and taking measures to restore degraded areas.
Education and awareness-raising: Companies can launch educational programmes to teach their staff, customers and the community about the importance of biodiversity. Raising awareness of biodiversity protection can help promote positive changes in attitude and behaviour.
Set impact-orientated goals right at the start of the project. What do you want to achieve with your innovations? What turnover are you aiming for? What social and ecological added value do you create? Make your goals transparent, define KPIs and report on your progress.
Land-based and inland freshwater ecosystems face enormous pressure as challenges such as biodiversity loss, land degradation and illegal wildlife trade increase. Many biodiversity hotspots, including savannahs, grasslands and tropical rainforests, face increased threats from activities linked to global supply chains. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment states that biodiversity is the foundation for human life. Biodiverse ecosystems not only provide essential goods such as food, water, fibre and medicines but also deliver irreplaceable services such as disease regulation and the purification of air and water.
These issues have increasingly moved to the forefront of public attention, and companies can benefit from leading the way in tackling these challenges.
